Lake Mountain
A trail at Lake Mountain after a snowfall
The Lake Mountain is a mountain in the south of the Australian state of Victoria. He is part of the Great Dividing Range and is located about 90 km northeast of the city center of Melbourne at the northern end of the Yarra Ranges National Park.
At Lake Mountain is the most popular ( by number of visits) ski region of Australia, which is due to the proximity to the city of Melbourne. However, there only cross-country skiing is possible.
The Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is unincorporated territory surrounded by the Murrindindi Shire Local Government Area.
Origin of the name
At Lake Mountain, there is no lake (English: lake), but he was sent to Lake George, director of the Survey Office for the area, named.
Facilities
The Lake Mountain Alpine Resort between mountain and Echo Flat. In total there are 37 km of groomed trails in the surrounding Yarra Ranges National Park. Mainly the pure cross-country ski resort of families ( 80% of visitors ) is visited. There are seven toboggan runs, of which the two most important are open for visitors. The first and most popular begins at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort Day Vistitor Centre, while the second branches off from the first to a steeper and longer distance. Snowboarding is not permitted.
The visitor center was on 12 June 2004 a public holiday birthday of Queen Elizabeth opened. It cost AU $ 3.7 million, including the renovation and reconstruction of two other building, a service building with lockers and a center for ski patrols with first -aid area.
There are a number of other facilities, such as two fully equipped conference center and a café bar. The latter remains open all year round and is used in the summer by hikers and mountain bikers.
2005 Skipatrouillenzentrum was modified so that it outside the winter season ( November to May ) could serve - as Snow Gum Lodge - an elegant private accommodation for wealthy tenants. It was the only place to stay on the mountain, but was destroyed in the forest fires of 2009.
Forest fires in 2009
The forest fires on February 7, 2009 caused damage to the Lake Mountain considerable. A large part of the forest burned down and almost all buildings - with the exception of the visitor center with ski rental and Bistro - were destroyed.
With great efforts could achieve that the area could be used for the winter season 2009. Temporary buildings were delivered that serve as toilets, accommodation for the Skipartrouillen and kiosk. Damaged wooden walkways and bridges have been restored.
The Visitor Center, the only building still standing after the fire
Spent sled track at Lake Mountain
Burned trees somewhere on the ski track
Road bicycle racing
The Lake Mountain is a popular site for road cyclists because of the steep climbs to Alpine Resort. The Lake Mountain can be reached from two sides: from Warburton from a pesky, 40 km long mountain range along the Reefton degree and of Marysville from a much more popular climb. The mountain route from Marysville from is 21.3 km long and has 3-4 % slope. The first 4.3 km of the increase is 8.1% slope the most strenuous.